Pregnancy termination counselling gives non-judgmental information on methods, assessment before the procedure, risks and the process afterwards.
Pregnancy termination counselling is an information consultation, held so that a person considering not continuing a pregnancy can learn about their options, the methods, the risks and what to expect after the procedure, without judgement. The decision is yours; however, it is important to know that the process is subject to legal regulations and medical assessment. The information below offers a general framework and does not replace individual medical or legal advice.
What is pregnancy termination counselling?
Pregnancy termination counselling is a consultation held so that you can weigh your options on the basis of information in the decision-making process. In the consultation, the methods, the process before and after the procedure, the possible risks and contraception are talked about; it does not push you in any direction.
What is talked about in counselling?
The consultation generally covers the location and approximate duration of your pregnancy, your general health, the method you may prefer, your need for emotional support and your expectations after the procedure. The consultation is expected to be held in an environment where you can ask your questions without being judged.
What limits apply to carrying out your decision?
The decision whether or not to continue the pregnancy is yours. However, how this decision can be carried out is limited by the legal regulations in Turkey and by the medical assessment of the doctor assessing you; you can clarify these details in the consultation you hold with your doctor and the health institution you apply to.
Are "kürtaj" (abortion) and vacuum aspiration the same thing?
In everyday language the word "kürtaj" (curettage) is used to describe all the different methods aimed at ending a pregnancy. Vacuum aspiration is one of them and is based on emptying the contents of the womb by gentle suction. According to current guidelines, in surgical methods in the early period vacuum aspiration is preferred to sharp curettage (scraping); in advanced pregnancies a different surgical approach may be needed. The doctor decides which method is suitable for you.
What are the methods?
There are basically two approaches in terminating a pregnancy: the medicine method and the surgical method (including vacuum aspiration). The medicine method is based on using certain medicines under a doctor's supervision; the name and dose of the medicine are determined for each person by the doctor. In the surgical method, vacuum aspiration is the most commonly used technique; in advanced pregnancies a different surgical approach may be needed. Which method can be used depends on the duration of the pregnancy, your health and the doctor's assessment.
What assessments are done before the procedure?
Before the procedure the doctor listens to your history, examines you and uses ultrasound to assess the location and approximate duration of the pregnancy within the womb. Your blood group is checked; in some cases an infection screen may be requested. A procedure is not planned before the location of the pregnancy is confirmed by ultrasound; this also ensures that the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy is assessed if there is pain or bleeding.
How is the procedure done?
The course of the procedure can differ according to the method and the duration of the pregnancy. In the surgical method, pain management is generally provided with local or general anaesthesia; the doctor decides which method is suitable for you. In the medicine method the process goes through different stages and is closely followed by the doctor. You can get detailed information on who carries out the procedure, in what conditions and where from the health institution you apply to.
What happens after the procedure?
Light spotting and mild cramping are expected after the procedure; these symptoms tend to lessen over time. Your doctor tells you when and how the check-up after the procedure will be done.
What are the risks?
When done with a suitable method, at a suitable stage of pregnancy and by a competent health professional, pregnancy termination is among the procedures regarded as safe. Even so, as with any medical procedure, there are some risks: incomplete emptying of the pregnancy tissue, more bleeding than expected, infection and, rarely, injury to the wall of the womb are among them. The frequency of these risks varies according to the person, the duration of the pregnancy and the method; giving a general rate would be misleading. Terminations carried out in unsupervised conditions (self-administered medicines, herbal or mechanical methods) are an important cause of complications; trying any method outside a health institution is not safe.
When should contraception be talked about after the procedure?
Ovulation can return earlier than expected after the procedure. For this reason, if you do not want a new pregnancy, it is recommended that you talk with your doctor about a contraceptive method before the procedure or at the first check-up after it. It is a known principle that contraception counselling or starting a method should not be a precondition of the procedure; so you should not feel pressure about contraception.
Can you get support if you experience different feelings during the process?
Feeling relief, sadness, indecision or mixed emotions during this process is common, and none of these is a "right" or "wrong" reaction. Your need for emotional support can also be covered in the counselling consultation; when needed, you can talk with your doctor about whether you would like to get mental health support.
How are the legal framework and consent conditions explained to you?
In Turkey, ending a pregnancy is subject to legal regulations. What the time limit, the conditions, the required documents and, depending on your situation, the consent requirements mean for you is explained by the doctor assessing you and the health institution you apply to. This page is for general information; it does not offer a personal assessment of the legal time limit, conditions or consent requirements.
What questions can you ask when preparing for the consultation?
- Which methods may be suitable for me, and what is the difference between them?
- Which tests and assessments will be done before the procedure?
- Which symptoms are expected after the procedure, and which are regarded as urgent?
- When can I start a contraceptive method?
- Which sources of emotional support can I be referred to?
- What do the legal conditions of the process mean for my situation?
Frequently Asked Questions
If my blood group is Rh negative, does this affect the procedure?
If your blood group is Rh negative, your doctor assesses whether some additional measures are needed to protect your later pregnancies; this assessment can be made before or after the procedure.
When will a pregnancy test come out negative after the procedure?
The pregnancy hormone level can take time to fall to zero; for this reason a pregnancy test done straight after the procedure may still come out positive. Your doctor will tell you when the test should be repeated.
Do I have to tell everything in the counselling consultation?
The counselling consultation is not an interrogation; you do not have to tell anything you do not wish to share. The aim of the consultation is to inform you and to understand your needs.
Is it safe to try a medicine or herbal method on my own?
No. Unsupervised methods can lead to serious complications; any method can be done safely only in a health institution and under a doctor's supervision.
When can I go back to daily life or sex after the procedure?
This varies according to the method used and your recovery; the exact timing is determined by the doctor assessing you.
Will the counselling consultation push me towards a decision?
No. The aim is to let you weigh the options on the basis of information. The consultation does not push you in any direction.
Is how my decision is carried out determined only by my preference?
The decision is yours; how it can be carried out is limited by the legal regulations in Turkey and the doctor's medical assessment. The doctor and the institution you apply to explain the conditions for your situation.
Is a procedure planned before the location of the pregnancy is confirmed?
No. First the location within the womb and the approximate duration are assessed by ultrasound. If there is pain or bleeding, the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy is also assessed.
Is vacuum aspiration the same as all the methods the word kürtaj describes?
No. The word kürtaj (curettage) in everyday language can cover different methods. Vacuum aspiration is one of the methods based on emptying the contents of the womb by gentle suction.
Should I talk about contraception for another pregnancy after the procedure?
If you do not want a new pregnancy, it is recommended that you talk about contraception before the procedure or at the first check-up. Ovulation can return earlier than expected.
Is starting a contraceptive method a precondition of the procedure?
It is stated that contraception counselling or starting a method should not be a precondition. You should not feel pressure about contraception.
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